Multi-purpose self-contained portable voting booth

ABSTRACT

A portable multi-purpose self-contained voting booth which may be collapsed and enclosed entirely within a compact carrying case. Extensible and retractable foldable leg structures are storable within the carrying case, which when extended permit positioning of the booth at any desired location. The leg structures are positionable when extended in improved leg receiving wells provided in the carrying case. The booth includes selectively positionable side wall privacy panels and a light source, plus improved supporting means for permitting use of a punch card type voting device therewith which is storable therein and accessible when the booth is erected. Additionally, the booth is provided with movable retractable shelf structure enclosable within the case which is selectively positionable to extend across the case to provide a supporting surface for use when paper write-in ballots or a simplified punch card type voting device is to be employed.

Ahmann MULTI-PURPOSE SELF -CONTAINED PORTABLE VOTING BOOTH [75] Inventor: John E. Ahmann, Napa, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Computer Election Systems, Inc.,

Berkeley, Calif.

[22] Filed: July 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 275,912

[52] US. Cl 312/223, 312/244, 312/258 [51] Int. Cl A47b 43/00, E04b U346 [58] Field of Search 312/223, 257, 258, 239; 52/64, 244; 248/188 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,620,587 11/1971 Ahmann 312/223 2,677,588 5/1954 Couse 312/258 3,389,947 6/1968 Kelly et a1.. 312/258 3,650,589 3/1972 Linger 312/231 1,529,982 3/1925 Bunz1i.... 312/231 2,798,451 7/1957 Hund 248/166 X 1,723,216 8/1929 Stam 243/159 UX 2,991,830 7/1961 Abel 248/1886 X 3,000,683 9/1961 McNeary 312/244 X 3,476,456 11/1969 Canavan 312/231 3,208,409 9/1945 Gale 3,245,644 4/1966 Kozel ..248/188.6X

Primary Examiner-Pau1 R. Gilliam [5 7 ABSTRACT A portable multi-purpose self-contained voting booth which may be collapsed and enclosed entirely within a compact carrying case. Extensible and retractable foldable leg structures are storable within the carrying case, which when extended permit positioning of the booth at any desired location. The leg structures are positionable when extended in improved leg receiving wells provided in the carrying case. The booth includes selectively positionable side wall privacy panels and a light source, plus improved supporting means for permitting use of a punch card type voting device therewith which is storable therein and accessible when the booth is erected. Additionally, the booth is provided .with movable retractable shelf structure enclosable'within the case which is: selectively positionable to extend across the case to provide a supporting surface for use when paper write-in ballots or a simplified punch card type voting device is to be employed.

13 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures FATENTED APR 2 3 mm SHEU 8 OF PATEHTEI] APR 2 3 I974 7 3806.219 sum u 0F 5 MULTl-PURPOSE SELF CONTAINED PORTABLE "VOTING BOOTH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of voting booths useableduring elections. More particularly, this invention realtes to thefield of self-contained multi+purpose portable voting booths all components of whicharereceivable within a compact carrying case for ease of storage-andh'andling. Stillmo're particularly, thisinvention relatesto the fieldof multi-purpose voting booths useable in elections irrespective of the particular type of ballot to be employed ina givenelection.

Description of the Prior Art So far as is known, a voting booth incorporating all the characteristics and improved features disclosed same in retracted position, as well as "modified 'means for 'providinga selectively positionable shelf structure which adapts the voting booth for use in conjunction with various types of voting systems, including conventional paper type write-in ballots.

in addition to applicants said prior patent retractable votingbooths ofthe type known heretofore are illustrated in the following exemplary U.S. Pats: Kelley etal, No. 3,389,94Tdated June 25, 1968; andCrossland et alQNo. 3,333,766 dated Aug. 1, 19671However, neither the exemplary patents noted nor applicants prior patent disclose the novel features emphasized hereinafter.

Sofar as is known, prior attempts which have been made to devise effective portable voting booths, with the "exception of applicants own prior patented construction, have jgenerally been directed to utilization with only one type of voting system, such as punch card type ballot voting systems, or write-intypeballot voting systems. Such restricted capability makessuch known prior portable booths limited in utility and adaptability for voting purposes.

Furthermore, so far as is known, aportableand lightweight votingbooth structure of the particular type disclosed herein, which is specifically designed for use with punch card type ballots, write-in type ballots, and

other types of presently known ballot systems commonly employed in elections, has not been known heretofore. More specifically, sofar as is known, anentirely self-contained multi-purpose votingbooth, useable with various type ballot systems, having retractable and storableleg structures, and movable andretractable shelf structure selectivelypositionableto extend across a base section of the carrying case of the voting booth, as disclosed herein, has been unknown heretofore.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to an irnprovedvot- .2 ing booth construction, and particularly to a portable multi-purpose self-contained voting booth which is foldable entirely within a compact carryingcase was to be-easily handled during transportation to apolling place and for easy storage at predetermined locations, suchas at the polling place, between elections. More particularly, thisinvention relates to a portable multipurpose voting booth in which all components thereof are integrally connected with or storable withina compact carrying case, and to such a booth which, when erected, is useable with a variety of known ballot systems, suchas punchcard ballot systems, write-in paper ballot systems, and the like.

Thevoting booth ofthisinvention includesextensible and retractable foldable leg structures which are integrally connectable "with an associated carrying case, and whichare storable within thecarryingcase, so that the booth may be self-supporting when desired, yet

which pennits the boothto be supportedupon another supporting surface whenuse of the leg structures is not requiredor permitted at a particular pollingplace.

The carrying case of the subject booth includes two hingedly interconnected sections which define abase section and a rear wall section of the voting-booth when erected, as 'well as two selectively extensible and retractable side wallpanels which are positionable within the carrying case when retracted and which provide privacy panels when the case is opened and the booth between a retracted or inaccessible position and an op erative or selectively oriented positionextending across a portion ofthe carrying case when theboothis erected to adapt the booth to accommodate -a write-in ballot systemor a particular type of :punch card typeballot system as described hereinafter. Additionally, the booth includes base support means upon which a known type of punch cardballot vote registering device isutilizable. As a resultjthe voting booth of thisinvention is useable by governmental entities having diverse types of voting systems presently in effectin their jursidictions.

Furthermore, this invention relates to improved leg' structures and well receiving means for suchleg structures when the same are extended for supportingthe voting booth in an operative position for use at apolling place.

From the foregoing, it should be understood that objects of thisinvention include the provision of an improved multi-purpose self-contained portable voting booth; the provision of a voting booth which may be entirely enclosed within a compact carrying case for ease of storage and handling; the provision of an improved self-contained voting booth which may beeasily transported to a polling place and rapidly and ismply erected thereat and demounted thereat following an election; the provision of an improved voting booth which may be utilizable with various types of voting ballot systems, such aspunch card systems and write-in paper ballot systems; the provision of a collapsible vot' ing booth having improved supporting leg structures selectively extensible and retractable relative to the carrying case and storable therein when the booth is demounted and which are integrally connectable therewith in rapid fashion when the booth is erected; and the provision of a multi-purpose portable voting booth having improved selectively positionable shelf structure integrally included therein which is movable from a re- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing the voting booth of this invention collapsed within its carrying case, such case being shown in the inverted position to illustrate details of the underside thereof.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the subject voting booth shown in the partially erected condition.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing the voting booth in .the fully erected condition.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the voting booth taken in the plane of line 44 of FIG. 3.

F 16.5 is a partial vertical sectional view showing the means for maintaining the side wall privacy panels erected and taken in the plane of line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a partial horizontal sectional view taken in the plane of line 6-6 of FIG. 3 and illustrating details of the hinge means incorporated into the side wall privacy panels.

FIG. 7 is a partial horizontal sectional view taken in the plane of line 77 of FIG. 4 and illustrating details of the leg receiving wells in which the extensible leg structures are selectively positionable.

FIG. 8 is a generally vertical sectional view taken in the plane of line 8-8 of FIG. 7 and illustrating details of construction of a leg structure when extended.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a leg structure showing the same in the folded and retracted position ready for storage within the carrying case of the voting booth.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view illustrating internal details of the base structure received within the base section of the voting booth carrying case with the selectively positionable shelf structure and associated punch care vote recording device removed therefrom for clarity of ilustration.

FIG 1 l is a plan view of the base section of the carrying case showing the same in the erected condition and illustrating the selectively positionable shelf structure moved to the position in which the same is adapted to support write-in paper ballots or a particular type of vote recording device suitable for use with punch card type ballots.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The voting booth construction of this invention has been designed so as to be completely self-contained in a compact carrying case having two principal sections which define integral portions of the voting booth when the same is erected for use at a polling place. In that regard, the voting booth of this invention has further been designed to be useable with various types of voting systems presently used by diverse governmental entitles, such as voting systems employing write-in type ballots, as well as more modern systems utilizing punch card type ballots and the like intended to be counted automatically in computers programmed to read the ballot information punched in the ballots. To that end, the present invention includes selectively positionable shelf means therein for readily and rapidly adapting the same to accommodate write-in type ballots as well as to accommodate automatic punch card type vote registering devices which receive therein punch card type ballots.

The particular type of ballot employed and the voting device utilized in conjunction with such ballots form no part of this invention. However, by way of background information, several prior patents illustrate vote registering devices utilizing punch card type ballots which are effectively incorporated into this subject voting booth to provide an operative combination. Harris U.S. Pat. No. 3,240,409 dated March 15, 1966, and Harris U.S. Pat. No. 3,201,038 dated Aug. 17, 1965, show punch card type vote registering devices which are capable of handling a substantial slate of candidates and election questions. Abissi U.S. Pat. No. 2,949,292 dated Aug. 16, 1960, and Laframboise et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,007,620 dated Nov. 7, 1961 show somewhat simpler and more compact vote registering devices which are also adapted to accommodate punch card type ballots therein.

The voting booth construction of this invention is adapted to utilize the voting devices of any of the patents noted above, as well as to accommodate more conventional writein type paper ballot systems in which the voter utilizes a marking pen, an ink stamp, or the like to register his choice on the face of a paper ballot. The present invention thus is incorporated into a versatile, multi-purpose voting booth which is efficient, lightweight, compact and attractive from both the standpoint of cost and appearance, and which may be readily and easily transported to and erected and demounted at a polling place by unskilled persons.

The voting booth of this invention has been designed to be self-supporting on leg structures provided integrally therewith so that a preson voting at the same may stand erect during a voting operation. However, it has the further advantage of being useable when the leg structures are stored within the carrying case by positioning the same upon some other supporting surface. Thus, for example, the subject voting booth may be transported into hospitals and placed on a bed, bedside or other table, for use by patients who are confined to beds or wheel-chairs. Thus, utilization of mail-in absentee paper type write-in ballots by patients and the like may be obviated in those jurisdictions where punch card type voting systems have been adopted by utilizing the subject voting booth. Utilization of the booth without employing its supporting leg structures in their extended position in other environments also is contem plated.

Because the booth preferably is provided with an integral light source, the self-contained and self-sufficient nature thereof is further enhanced. Additionally, because of the compact nature of the booth when closed within its carrying case, a governmental entity can realize substantial monetary savings annually in the cost of storage and transportation of voting booth units. Additionally, the ease with which the subject voting booth may be transported enhances the desirability of its use at various locations within a given jurisdiction so that the same may be moved from one polling place to another as required during elections of various types held at different times of the year.

Furthermore, the carrying case for the voting booth has sufficient space on the interior thereof so that an integral vote registering device for punch card ballot systems may be retained in the booth during storage; also, additional election related equipment, such as precinctflags and the like,may be stored in the voting booth when the same is not in use.

Additionally, when a punch card type voting device is employed with the voting booth construction illustrated herein, the small portions punched from the punch card ballots (chad) may be collected directly by the voting device for disposal following the election. Thus, a neat polling place is insured and fouling of punch card type vote registering devices is obviated.

Also, because voting booths normally are used only periodically, for example once or twice a year, by a particular governmental entity, the possibility of damage to the vote registering components thereof is obviated during storage because of the sturdy nature of the carrying case in which all of the booth components are enclosed when the booth is not in use. Thus, maintenance requirements are minimal and preparation of the booth for useis simple and may be rapidly and inexpensively effected.

With the foregoing preliminary considerations in mind, reference is directed to the drawings for an illus tration of the details of construction of a preferred embodiment of the subject invention.

Referringfirst to FIG. 1, the voting booth is shown in thefully collapsed ordemounted condition in which all components-thereof are enclosed within a sturdy, com pact carryingcase generally designated 1. The carrying case is shown in FIG. 1 in the inverted position to illustrate details of the leg receiving means on the undersurface of the base thereof which will be discussed in greater detailhereinafter. Itshould be understood that Additionally, both the undersurface of the carrying case shown in FIG. 1 and theupper surface thereof which is not specifically illustrated may be formedwith any strengthening construction required, such as elongated ribs extending thereacross.

While the carrying case dimensions will be dictated largely by the erected size of a particular booth required by a particular governmental entity, and while this invention maybe incorporated into voting'booths of varying sizes dictated by particularneeds, in the commercial embodiment thereof illustratedin FIG. 1, the booth isincorporated into a compact carrying case construction which is approximately 22 5% inches wide by 19 inches deep by four inches thick. The cubic displacement of such a booth when collapsed and enclosed within a carrying case is approximately one cubicfoot which permits easy storage of large quantities of such booths in limited space. When fully erected the illustrated boothfis approximately 60 inches high by 20 inches deep by 22 k incheswide at thetop and 28 inches by 24 inches at the bottom defined by the extensible legs thereof. The working surface defined by the vote recordingdevice or the selectively positionable shelf structure is approximately 39 inches from the floor so as tobe readily accessible by a person standing infront of an erected booth.

. The weight of a ready'to use booth will vary depending upon the type of ballot system to be utilized by a particular entity and such weight will generally lie 2 and 3 hingedly and integrally interconnected with each otherin known fashion by means of a hinge construction 4 interposed therebetween as seen in FIG. 2. A carrying handle6 is riveted, welded or otherwisesecured to case section 2 in known fashion. Also, suitable latch means defined by opposed releasable latch members 7 oncase section 2 and latch brackets 8 on case section 3 are provided to permit the case sections to be positively secured together for transportation and storage. The latch means shown preferably are spring loaded to remain inthe latched position shown in FIG.

"l to preclude inadvertent opening; of the carrying case.

When the carrying case is opened during erection of the booth, case section 2 is positioned to extend generally at right angles to case section3 with section 2 a forming the rear wall of the voting booth and case section 3 forming the base thereof. In that regard, as seen in FIG. 1, case section 3 generallyforms and defines the undersruface of the booth while case section 2 defines the upper surface thereof wlhenthecase is positioned to be erected.

An important feature of this invention whichimparts flexibility to utilization of the subject voting booth is the inclusion therein of supporting means defined by a plurality of extensible and retractable foldable leg structures which impart self-supporting capability to the booth.

Thus, the leg structures do not interfere with handling of the carrying case during transportation and storage thereof and further are positioned within the case so as to prevent theirloss or damage during such transportation and storage. In that latter regard,when thus positiond, the leg structures do not interfere with normal operation and utilization of the voting 'boothif the legs are not required at a particular pollin'gplace, such as in ahospital orthe like asnoted previously.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the present embodiment includes four retractable leg structures designated 11, 12, 13 and l4res'pectively, with leg structures 11 and 12 when extended and positioned in operative orientation with thecarrying casebeing located at the front scribed in detail, with similar reference numerals being used in the drawingsto identify similar components of the other leg structures. It will be understood from FIGS. 1 and 3 that each leg structure is selectively retractable relative to case section 3 and is positionable within case section 2 for storage and transportation. 9

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, considered with FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be understood that each extensible leg structure, as exemplified by leg structure 11, includes at least two relatively movable hollow tubular leg sections 16 and 17 (of aluminum or like material) which are of substantially equal length and of substantially identical construction, except that leg section 17 is formed at one end with a reduced diameter portion 18 which is telescopically receivable within an end section 19 of the cooperable leg section 16.

The leg sections 16 and 17 are selectively interfittable in telescopic fashion as seen in FIGS. 3 and 8 but are slidably separable from each other to permit folding of the leg structure to half its normal length as seen in FIG. 9. Each leg section is formed with a reduced diameter cylindrical outer end, designated 21 and 22 respectively, designed to interfit with leg positioning and receiving means carried by the case section 3 as will be described. Each end has an enlarged tapered annular shoulder 20 interposed between the reduced end and the main portion of the leg section. In that regard, it will be understood that leg structure 11 is identically contoured at each of the reduced ends 21 and 22 so that either of such ends is positionable within the leg positioning and receiving means to' be described.

Additionally, each end 21 and 22 is further defined by a non-metallic end closure cap 23 and 24 respectively, each of which as seen in FIG. 8 has an apertured flange 26 and 27 projecting therefrom into the associated hollow leg section. Interposed between and connected with the flanges 26 and 27 is an elongated elastic cord 28 which is secured to the flanges by looping and tying the same as seen in FIG. 8. Such elastic cord is formed of any suitable materialand draws the end caps 23 and 24 toward each other to securely maintain the leg sections 16 and 17 in telescopic interengagement as seen in FIG. 8. However, the leg sections 16 and 17 may be drawn away from each other by stretching cord 28 and the leg sections thus may be disengaged and folded to the parallel side-by side relationship shown in FIG. 9 for storage within the carrying case when use thereof is not required.

In that regard, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, case section 2 is generally hollow and has provided therein along opposite sidewalls 31 and 32 resilient leg retaining clips 33 and 34 respectively. Such clips each include, referring to clip 34 in FIG. 3, an inturned bottom flange 36 positioned to contact the inner surface of the main wall 35 of case section 2. Flange 36 is riveted to wall 35 and two intermediate outwardly turned flanges 37 and 38 of clip 34 are riveted to the side wall 32 of the case section 2.

A cushioning pad 39 of any suitable sponge like material is bonded to the bottom flange 36 to provide a supporting surface for the leg structures when the same are stored within the case. At its upper free end, the clip is provided with an outwardly turned lip to facilitate insertion of leg structures between the clip and the inner surface of the case section and to provide a retaining detent for engaging the stored leg structures.

The other clip 33 is similarly constructed and is secured to its associated side wall 31 and main wall 35 of case section 2.

As seen in FIG. 2, when the respective leg structures have their two sections disengaged and folded in parallel relationship, all four such leg structures may be moved longitudinally behind the spaced opposed retaining clips 33 and 34 to be held securely in place in case section 2. The arrangement of the respective leg structures in the case section is a matter of choice because, as noted previously, all such leg sections are interchangeably useable to support the voting booth when the same is erected.

When the leg structures are removed from the stored position in case section 2 and operatively extended and interfitted, the same are adapted to be selectively engaged with case section 3 as seen in FIG. 8. In that regard, each of the leg structures extends at approximately relative to the bottom plane of case section 3. Thus, the lower end caps of the respective leg structures are widely spaced from each other as seen in FIG. 3 so that stability is insured when the voting booth is fully erected and supported by the leg structures.

It should be understood, as noted from FIG. 4, that case section 3 which forms the base of the voting booth when erected also is formed as a hollow metal shell. The before noted means for receiving the leg structures therein is provided in conjunction with the bottom wall of such case section 3, such wall being generally designated 43 in FIGS. 1 and 4.

Four leg structure positioning and receiving means, designated respectively 11', 12', 13and 14 to correspond with the identification of the leg structures to be received therein, are provided adjacent the respective corners of the generally rectangular bottom wall 43 of case section 3. Because each of such receiving means is preferably identical in construction, only one such means will be described in detail and reference is directed to FIGS. 7 and 8 in conjunction therewith. In that regard, the wall 43 has a hole 44 formed therethrough adjacent a corner thereof to accept a leg receiving means thereinISuch hole is generally circular, except the same is provided with a key way '46 at one edge thereof as seen in FIG. 7.

Slidably received within hole 44 is an inverted cup 47 of rigid plastic having a closed upper end 48 and an open lower end 49, the latter being defined by an enlarged flange 51 of greater diameter than hole 44 as seen in FIG. 1 and 8. Flange 51 limits the extent to which the cup can be inserted through hole 44 and such flange includes an integral shoulder 50 having a narrow key 52 receivable within key way 46 mentioned previously to prevent rotation of the cup when the same is positioned as seen in FIG. 8. In that connection, it will be understood that access to the cup from within case section 3 is possible during manufacture of the booth and prior to the positioning of internal components thereover as will be described.

To prevent reverse movement of cup 47 out of engagement with bottom wall 43, structure is provided for engagement therewith to maintain the same in the operative orientation shown in FIG. 8. Such structure comprises a generally triangular hollow retainer member 53 having an aperture 54 in the generally flat upper surface thereof as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. Such aperture is of a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inverted cup 47 so that retainer 53 may be moved longitudinally over the cup. A split ring 56 is received in an annular groove 57 formed in the cup adjacent its upper closed end 48 and such split ring is interposed between the cup and retainer 53 to prevent inadvertent separation thereof.

Thus, retainer 53 acts as a supporting and retaining strut to prevent separation of the cup from case section 3 during all conditions of use of the voting booth. Such engagement is seucre so that repeated insertion and removal of a leg structure from engagement with the cup is ineffective to dislodge the cup from its operative position.

As noted from FIG. 7, each retainer 53 in plan view conforms generally to the triangular contour of the corner of the case section 3 in which the same is positioned to insure firm retention of the leg receiving means of which the same forms a part within such case section.

In that regard, cup 47 is hollow and is provided with an internal generally cylindrical bore 57 terminating at the closed end 48 thereof. The diameter of such bore is slightly greater than the diameter of the reduced ends 21 and 22 of a leg structure so that either of such reduced ends may be easily slidably insertedinto the cup until the tapered shoulder thereof contacts the flange 51 of the cup. That is, the length of bore 57 is slightly greater than the length of the reduced end sections 21 and 22 so that the aforementioned shoulder 20 .may bewedged into engagement with the cup at its outer end 49 as seen in FIG. 8. Thus, a leg structure may be securely wedged in slip proof fashion with the leg receiving means without fear of the same becoming inadvertently disengaged during use of the voting booth when erected. However, such wedging action does not preclude ease of disassembly when it is desired to fold up the voting booth for storage.

Thus, selectively extensible and retractable leg structures are provided which when extended as seen in FIG. 8 define integral supporting means for the carrying case when the booth is erected and which are foldable and retractable for ease of storage in the carrying case as noted. i

It has been found desirable to include in the subject voting booth construction alight source to illuminate the work surface upon which a voter is casting his ballot. As seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, such light source is generallydesignated 60 and includes a fluorescent light fixture 61 (FIG. 4) including a fluorescent bulb62 positioned behind a hingedly mounted light shield 63 pivotally secured by a hinge structure 64 with an end wall 66 of case section 2. The bulb 62 and its supporting fixture 61 are mounted by means of rivets or the like to the case section 2 in the orientation seen depending from end wall 66 thereof.

An electric cord 67 as seen in FIG. 4 is operatively connected with the light source and the same tenninates in a male plug68 intended to be inserted in any conventional power outlet. In that connection, the aforementioned leg structure retaining clips 33 and 34 as seen in FIG. 2 have bent books 68 and 69 depending therefrom around which the electric cord 67 may be wound and stored when the booth is collapsed for nonuse.

Referring to FIG. 4, provided inconjunction with the light fixture 61 is afemale electrical auxiliary outlet 71 which is provided with electrical current fromcord 67. The auxiliary outlet7l may be utilized for any purpose requiring supplemental electricity at a polling station.

side wall panels 76 and 77 which are hingedly connected with one of the case sections. In the embodiment illustrated, such side wall panels are hingedly connected to the lower case section 3 when the booth is erected adjacent opposite side walls 78 and 79 thereof as will be described. In that connection, such panels are not hingedly connected to the case section directly but are hingedly connected in operative position thereon by intermediate base structure to be described.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it should be understood that the side wall panels are pivotal from the retracted or folded position shown in FIG. 2 in which they overlie each other to the extended position shown in FIG. 3 in which they extend generally at right angles to each of the case sections 2 and 3.

Preferably, detent means, generally designated 81 and 82 respectively, are provided in conjunction with the side wall panels. Referring to FIG. 5, detent means 81 illustrative of detent means 82 as well, is illustrated. Such detent means comprises a clip 83, formed of suitable flexible plastic material, having a slot 84 along one edge thereof inwhich an edge margin of panel 76 is received. Such clip is connected by rivets 86, or is otherwise secured, to the panel 76.

At its other end, the clip is provided with spaced arms 87 and 88, the former of which flairs outwardly to facilitate engagement of the clip with a marginal edge 89 of the associated side wall 31 of the case section 2. The arms 87 and 88 are contoured to interfit with the marginal edge of the case section defined by a fitting member 89 to prevent inadvertent separation of the clip from the case section when the same are interengaged as seen in FIG. 5 to maintain the privacy panel in the extended position shown. Thus, panels 76 and 77 not only provide privacy for a voter but also maintain the case sectionsZ and 3 in the generally right angled orientation shown in FIG. 3 to maintain the booth erected for use by a voter.

In that connection, it should be understood, referring to FIG. 5, that the fitting member 89 of case section 2 preferably is formed as a separate flange which is crimped or otherwise secured about the periphery of the free margin of the case section 2 to define the outer free margin thereof. Such fitting member 89 is formed with a channel 91 having a sealing strip 92 therein. As seen in FIG. 4, the opposing case section 3 is provided with an upstanding rib 94 designed to be received within the groove 91 for effecting secure sealing therebetween. Such I'Ib 94' is formed as part'of a peripheral fitting member 94 secured by crimping or the like to the free marginal edge of the lower case section 3.

Also included in case section 3 is base structure which, among other functions, provides means by which the privacy panels 76 and 77 are hingedly mounted to thecase' section 3 and which also provides means for operatively positioning a punch card type vote registering device, of the type disclosed in detail in the aforementioned Harris patents, within the case section 3. Such base structure also provides positioning means for insuringproper orientation of an extensible and retractable shelf structure which is operatively and selectively positioned within the case and isnormally enclosable therein when the booth is folded and the carrying case is closed. Such shelf structure is selectively positionable to extend across the base section3 of the case to provide a supporting surface which is available for use to support thereon a vote recording device, a paper write-in type ballot, or other materials when the booth is erected and such shelf structure is in its operative position.

The base structure, as best seen in FIGS. and 11 taken in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 4, comprises a one-piece contoured molded plastic or equivalent base panel which is generally rectangular in outline in accordance with the shape of case section 3. The base panel is designated 95. Such base panel is molded from any suitable substantially rigid plastic and is formed with a contoured generally rectangular inner periheral recess 96 which permits the selective positioning of a punch card type vote recording device or a shelf structure in a position which extends across the base section of the voting booth in selective fashion, depending upon the type of ballot to be utilized.

The base panel 95 is defined by four integrally connected marginal portions defining opposed side sections 97 and 98 and opposed front and rear sections 99 and 100 of the panel. As perhaps best seen in FIGS. 4 and 10, the base panel includes an inner peripheral lip 101 which defines the inner margin of the rectangular recess 96 and an outer peripheral lip 102 which defines the outer margin of the base panel.

Referring to FIG. 4, it will be noted that the inner lip 101 is formed on a lower plane that the peripheral outer lip 102. In that regard, inner lip 101 rests upon the inner surface of the bottom wall 43 of case section 3 while the outer lip 102 is positioned thereabove to underlie the fitting member 94 secured to the free outer margin of the lower case section 3.

It should be understood that each of the opposed sections 97, 98, 99 and 100 of the base panel is hollow as seen in FIG. 4 so that the same may accommodate therein the aforementioned leg mounting means 11', 12', 13 and 14' positioned adjacent the resepctive corners of the base section 3. In that regard, it will be noted that the undersurfaces of the four sections of the base panel 95 contact and are supported by the upper closed ends of the inverted cups 47 which define the leg receiving meansas described previously. Thus, such leg receiving means support the upper portions of base panel 95 while the inner peripheral flange 101 thereof supports the bottom portion thereof. Thus, with the ar rangement shown, the base panel is securely positioned within the case section 3 and is retained therein by peripheral fitting member 94.

Referring to FIG. 6 taken in conjunction with FIG. 4, it will be noted that each of the side wall privacy panels 76 and 77 at its lower margin is provided with a plurality of generally T-shaped hinge tabs 103 which are received in slots 104 formed in the opposed side portions 97 and 98 of the base panel. The tabs 103 are pressable into the slots 104 formed to receive the same and the material from which the base structure and the privacy panels are formed is sufficiently resilient to allow entry of the enlarged tab heads into the smaller size slots until the same are positioned as seen in FIG. 6. In that regard, it will be noted that the tabs 103 form part of a flange extension 105 which extends generally at right angles to the plane of the respective privacy panels 76 and 77 which permit the panels to move from the extended position seen in FIG. 3 to the retracted overlapping position seen in FIG. 2.

The hollow depressed interior of the base panel as device comprises an essentially self-contained unit of the type shown in the aforementioned Harris patents. In that regard, such device is provided with an integral base 107 which, as seen in FIG. 4, conforms to the size and contour of the recess 96 in the base panel and is positionable within the follow confines of the base panel and rests upon the bottom wall 43 of case section 3. Base 107 supports a ballot supporting structure generally designated 108 and an associated punch stylus 109 chained thereto against loss. The stylus is used to register a vote on a punch card type ballot.

For full details of construction of such a voting device and the mode of operation thereof, reference is directed to the aforementioned I-Iarris patents. It should be understood that such details of construction form no direct part of this invention except with respect to the interrelationship of such a voting device with the base panel and the other structural features of the subject portable voting booth.

Provided in conjunction with the base panel and the voting device selectively positionable within the confines thereof is retractable and extensible shelf structure which is selectively movable and positionable to provide a generally flat planar surface for supporting a paper type ballot, or for supporting a simplified type of punch card type voting device thereon of the type disclosed in the aforementioned Abissi and Laframboise et al. patents. v

In that regard, such shelf structure in the embodiment illustrated is formed directly in conjunction with and as integral partof the illustrated voting'device 106. That is, such shelf structure is defined by a generally flat metal or plastic plate 1 l l which, as seen in FIG. 11,

is maintained in engagement with the ,undersurface of the base 107 of the voting device 106 by a series of screws 112 passing therethrough into base 107.

Thus, by selectively moving the shelf plate by reversing the voting device 106 from the position shown in FIG. 4, the shelf structure may be selectively positioned in the orientation shown in FIG. 1 1. Such reversal positions the upper surface of the voting device 106 within the hollow inner recess of the base panel 95 and presents the flat supporting surface 111 of the shelf structure for access by a voter.

Referring to FIG. 10, it will be noted that the base panel 95 is provided'with a slotted cut out portion 1 10 in the rear section thereof which is adapted to receive therein the inner end of the ballot supporting structure 108 of the vote recording device when such device is inverted. Such inner end normally projects above the flat upper surface of section 100 of the base panel when the voting device is positioned upright for use as seen in FIG. 4.

It will further be understood that the cut out portion 110 provides a hand hole to permit insertion of fingers between the base panel 95 and the shelf plate 11 1 when it is desired to reverse the orientation of the voting device and the shelf structure attached thereto.

It should also be understood that when shelf plate 111 is used to support a simplified form of voting device of the type shown in the aforementioned Abissi and Laframboise et al. patents, such a voting device is supported by the shelf structure 111 directly thereon and does not form an integral part thereof, as does the Harris type voting device 106.

Having thus made a full disclosure of a preferred embodiment of an improved self-contained, multipurpose, portable lightweight voting booth, reference is directed to the appended claims for the scope of protection to be afforded thereto.

I claim:

1. A foldable portable self-contained voting booth which may be carried and erected by one person and which is intended for use in elections which utilize either punch card type ballots or write-in type ballots, said booth comprising a compact foldable carrying case in and upon which all components of said booth are arranged when said booth is folded and said case is closed for storage and transportation and when said case is opened and said booth is erected for use during an election; said case being defined by two interconnected sections which are positionable when said case is opened to extend generally at right angles relative to each other, one of said sections providing a base of said booth when said case is opened, the other of said sections providing a rear wall of said booth when said case is opened; wall panel means interposable between said sections when said case is opened to provide side walls of said booth and to maintain said case sections in said right angled relationship when said booth is erected, said panel means being foldable within said case when said case is closed; selectively extensible and retractable leg structures projecting from and operatively engaged with said base section when said booth is erected, each of said leg structures comprising two sections which are selectively interengaged with each other when said leg structure is extended and which are separable from each other when said leg structure is retracted; clip means provided in conjunction with one of said case sections for releasably retaining at least some of said leg structure sections in a stored position when said booth is folded and said case is closed; a selfcontained punch card type vote registering device integral with and normally positioned to extend across said base section of said case when said booth is erected, said vote registering device being enclosable within said case when said booth is folded and said case is closed; and shelf structure provided in conjunction with said vote registering device and comprising a generally flat plate integrally secured to the underside of said device; said vote registering device with said shelf structure engaged therewith being received within a recess provided in said base section of said case, said device being removable from said recess and invertable relative thereto so that either said device or said shelf structure may be selectively presented to a voter when said booth is erected, whereby either punch card type ballots or write-in type ballots may be used selectively in conjunction with said booth.

2. The booth of claim 1 in which all of said components of said booth are positioned within the confines of said case when said booth is folded and said case is closed.

3. The booth of claim 1 in which said leg structures are separable from said base section and are retractable to a size which adapts said leg structures to be received within said case when the same is closed; said clip means being positioned within said rear wall case section for receiving and retaining said leg structures therein for storage when retracted.

4. The booth of claim 1 which further includes leg structure receiving and positioning means engaged in a generally rectangular bottom wall of said base section of said case for removably receiving said leg structures therein when said structures are extended.

5. The booth of claim 4 in which said receiving and positioning means comprises cup members defining leg receiving wells engaged with said bottom wall adjacent all corners thereof, each of said leg structures being slidably and frictionally engaged in an associated cup provided therefor.

6. The booth of claim 5 in which the upper ends of said cup members are positioned within said base sec tion of said case and provide support means by which said base panel is supported within said base section.

7. The booth of claim 5 in which said receiving and positioning means furhter includes generally triangular shaped hollow retainers received over upper ends of said cup members and interposed therebetween and said base section bottom wall, and ring means interposed between said cup members and said retainers to preclude separation thereof.

8. The booth of claim 1 in which said means interposable between said case sections when said case is opened comprises privacy wall panels movably connected to one of said sections and enclosable within said case when said booth is folded and said case is closed and positionable when said case is opened and said booth is erected to extend generally at right angles to said base section and said rear wall section and operatively positioned therebetween, said wall panels defining side walls of said booth when the same is erected.

9. The booth of claim 1 in which said side wall panels are hingedly mounted on said base section of said case for pivotal movement to overlie said base panel when said booth is folded and said case is closed.

10. The booth of claim 1 which includes means interposable between margins of said side wall panels and margins of said rear wall section of said case when said booth is erected for maintaining said wall panels in said right angled relationship relative to such rear wall section.

11. The booth of claim 1 which further includes a light source mounted in said rear wall section of said case for illuminating said base section thereof when said case is opened and said booth is erected.

12. The booth of claim 1 in which said leg structure sections are telescopically interengaged when extended and foldable into parallel relationship when disengaged to retract the same for storage within said case.

13. The booth of claim 12 in which each of said leg structures further includes elastic :means for maintaining said leg sections interengaged when extended and for precluding separation thereof when retracted and folded. 

1. A foldable portable self-contained voting booth which may be carried and erected by one person and which is intended for use in elections which utilize either punch card type ballots or write-in type ballots, said booth comprising a compact foldable carrying case in and upon which all components of said booth are arranged when said booth is folded and said case is closed for storage and transportation and when said case is opened and saId booth is erected for use during an election; said case being defined by two interconnected sections which are positionable when said case is opened to extend generally at right angles relative to each other, one of said sections providing a base of said booth when said case is opened, the other of said sections providing a rear wall of said booth when said case is opened; wall panel means interposable between said sections when said case is opened to provide side walls of said booth and to maintain said case sections in said right angled relationship when said booth is erected, said panel means being foldable within said case when said case is closed; selectively extensible and retractable leg structures projecting from and operatively engaged with said base section when said booth is erected, each of said leg structures comprising two sections which are selectively interengaged with each other when said leg structure is extended and which are separable from each other when said leg structure is retracted; clip means provided in conjunction with one of said case sections for releasably retaining at least some of said leg structure sections in a stored position when said booth is folded and said case is closed; a self-contained punch card type vote registering device integral with and normally positioned to extend across said base section of said case when said booth is erected, said vote registering device being enclosable within said case when said booth is folded and said case is closed; and shelf structure provided in conjunction with said vote registering device and comprising a generally flat plate integrally secured to the underside of said device; said vote registering device with said shelf structure engaged therewith being received within a recess provided in said base section of said case, said device being removable from said recess and invertable relative thereto so that either said device or said shelf structure may be selectively presented to a voter when said booth is erected, whereby either punch card type ballots or write-in type ballots may be used selectively in conjunction with said booth.
 2. The booth of claim 1 in which all of said components of said booth are positioned within the confines of said case when said booth is folded and said case is closed.
 3. The booth of claim 1 in which said leg structures are separable from said base section and are retractable to a size which adapts said leg structures to be received within said case when the same is closed; said clip means being positioned within said rear wall case section for receiving and retaining said leg structures therein for storage when retracted.
 4. The booth of claim 1 which further includes leg structure receiving and positioning means engaged in a generally rectangular bottom wall of said base section of said case for removably receiving said leg structures therein when said structures are extended.
 5. The booth of claim 4 in which said receiving and positioning means comprises cup members defining leg receiving wells engaged with said bottom wall adjacent all corners thereof, each of said leg structures being slidably and frictionally engaged in an associated cup provided therefor.
 6. The booth of claim 5 in which the upper ends of said cup members are positioned within said base section of said case and provide support means by which said base panel is supported within said base section.
 7. The booth of claim 5 in which said receiving and positioning means furhter includes generally triangular shaped hollow retainers received over upper ends of said cup members and interposed therebetween and said base section bottom wall, and ring means interposed between said cup members and said retainers to preclude separation thereof.
 8. The booth of claim 1 in which said means interposable between said case sections when said case is opened comprises privacy wall panels movably connected to one of said sections and enclosable within said case when said booth is folded and sAid case is closed and positionable when said case is opened and said booth is erected to extend generally at right angles to said base section and said rear wall section and operatively positioned therebetween, said wall panels defining side walls of said booth when the same is erected.
 9. The booth of claim 1 in which said side wall panels are hingedly mounted on said base section of said case for pivotal movement to overlie said base panel when said booth is folded and said case is closed.
 10. The booth of claim 1 which includes means interposable between margins of said side wall panels and margins of said rear wall section of said case when said booth is erected for maintaining said wall panels in said right angled relationship relative to such rear wall section.
 11. The booth of claim 1 which further includes a light source mounted in said rear wall section of said case for illuminating said base section thereof when said case is opened and said booth is erected.
 12. The booth of claim 1 in which said leg structure sections are telescopically interengaged when extended and foldable into parallel relationship when disengaged to retract the same for storage within said case.
 13. The booth of claim 12 in which each of said leg structures further includes elastic means for maintaining said leg sections interengaged when extended and for precluding separation thereof when retracted and folded. 